Skip to main content
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Pillser
Search
Sign UpLog In

Effects of Ginger Intake on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.

  • 2022-11-23
  • Nutrients 14(23)
    • Jihee Choi
    • Jounghee Lee
    • Kijoon Kim
    • Hyo-Kyoung Choi
    • Se-A Lee
    • Hae-Jeung Lee

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 RCTs; searched three electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science) from inception to 5 November 2021; used Cochrane ROB tool; classified effects into acute and delayed CINV subgroups
  • Rigorous Journal
Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects of chemotherapy. They must be managed because they can increase the risk of malnutrition in patients, which can adversely affect treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ginger supplementation as an adjuvant treatment for alleviating chemo We checked. therapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). This study searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to ginger supplement intake for CINV in three electronic databases (i.e., Medline (PubMed), Embase, and Web of Science). The search period ranged from each database's first date of service to 5 November 2021. Two investigators independently performed abstract screenings, full-text screenings, data extraction, and risk of bias analyses (ROB). The Cochrane ROB tool was used for the assessment of ROB. This study systematically reviewed 23 RCTs. The effects of ginger supplementation were compared to those of placebo or antiemetic agents. This study conducted a meta-analysis after classifying the effects of ginger supplementation on acute and delayed CINV into subgroups due to the clinical heterogeneity between these RCTs. The results showed that the incidence of acute nausea (p = 0.53), the incidence of delayed nausea (p = 0.31), the incidence of acute vomiting (p = 0.09), and the incidence of delayed vomiting (p = 0.89) were not significantly different between the ginger supplement intake group and the control group. However, it was found that the ginger supplement intake group, which took not more than 1 g of ginger supplementation per day for above four days, had significantly less acute vomiting than the control group (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.79; p = 0.02; I2 = 36%). Ginger supplementation may reduce the incidence of acute chemotherapy-induced vomiting. However, this study could not confirm the effects of ginger supplementation on the incidence of chemotherapy-induced nausea and delayed vomiting. Therefore, it will be necessary to conduct additional studies with sufficient sample sizes using high-quality RCTs to evaluate the effects of ginger supplementations based on the results of this study.

Research Insights

  • Ginger→Reduced Delayed Nausea Incidence

    the incidence of delayed nausea (p = 0.31) ... not significantly different

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not more than 1 g/day for above four days
  • Ginger→Reduced Vomiting Frequency

    the ginger supplement intake group, which took not more than 1 g of ginger supplementation per day for above four days, had significantly less acute vomiting than the control group (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.79; p = 0.02)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    not more than 1 g/day for above four days

Adverse Events Reported

  • Ginger→vomiting

    the ginger supplement intake group, which took not more than 1 g of ginger supplementation per day for above four days, had significantly less acute vomiting than the control group (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.79; p = 0.02; I2 = 36%)

    Finding
    Increased risk
    Magnitude
    OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.79; p = 0.02; I2 = 36%
    Significant
    Yes
  • Ginger→nausea

    the incidence of acute nausea (p = 0.53), the incidence of delayed nausea (p = 0.31) ... were not significantly different between the ginger supplement intake group and the control group

    Finding
    No significant difference
    Magnitude
    p = 0.53 (acute), p = 0.31 (delayed)
    Significant
    No
  • Ginger→vomiting

    the incidence of acute vomiting (p = 0.09), and the incidence of delayed vomiting (p = 0.89) were not significantly different between the ginger supplement intake group and the control group

    Finding
    No significant difference
    Magnitude
    p = 0.09 (acute), p = 0.89 (delayed)
    Significant
    No
Back to top